One of the best things about living in a city like Boston is that there's a lot of wiggle room for different people's preferred lifestyles. Whether you're a newly-wed looking to house your expanding family, a single student, or a yuppie - the city of Boston has a wide portfolio of properties that addresses your needs. And even if the city is "historic" (and most likely "dated" to some), that doesn't mean developers, with the help of key officials, have stopped from breaking ground new projects that will eventually fit your fancy. And if your search is becoming too overwhelming with all the types of real estate out there, then here's a couple of tips that could help you in deciding what you should sign yourself up for your next home.

A SUPER STUDIO

Boston is becoming more and more congested, with only limited land in the city proper to develop large, sprawling units. If ever you do find those, they most likely come with a significant price tag. There might be a couple of drawbacks from living in such a tight space like a studio, but then again there's also a lot to love about living in one. For instance:

Savings - studio apartments are generally the cheapest units available, which gives you an opportunity to save more of your hard-earned money. This especially applies to single individuals out there who doesn't mind the small sacrifice to get to their goal.

Prime Location - with the money you'll save renting a smaller space, you might be able to afford living in the hip and trendy parts of town. Many studio apartments are located in urban areas within a short distance of fun restaurants and shops. You might now have a full-sized kitchen, but you have the world's cuisine in a stone's throw.

Small space, small broom - if the thought of sweeping or vacuuming makes you feel sick, then studio apartment living may be for you. Living in a much smaller space means less surface area to keep clean.

Minimalist lifestyle - life in a studio will teach you how to prioritize your belongings. You'll quickly figure out what you really need and absolutely can't do without because of limited space. This is a valuable trait to learn early on, as you wouldn't want to be a packrat in the long run.

AN AWESOME APARTMENT

If you're still looking to save money but don't want to sacrifice space, living in a regular-sized apartment really gives you the best of both worlds. With tons of multi-family housing within and on the outskirts of the city, apartment living is your best bet in Boston.

Avid Fan Amenities - there are numerous apartment complexes in the city that offer the same amenities as the ones found in luxury, high-end developments. These usually comes built-in on to your lease, and no extra fees need to be paid. You'd be surprised how many apartment developments out there offer on-site health club slash gyms, or swimming pools for the summer. Sometimes these in itself really make a place worth looking at twice.

Reserved Rooms - an apartment can be a good option if you like to entertain or if you frequently work from home. Having a bedroom allows you to maintain private areas when you have guests over for cocktails; overnight guests can also enjoy private sleeping quarters. A bedroom can also double as a home office, which you can leave behind at the end of the work day simply by shutting the door.

No to Yard work - the city is a highly youth-driven rental market, most people in Boston live an on-the-go lifestyle might not exactly have extra hours for time-consuming yard work like mowing, watering or landscaping. Many larger apartment complexes are beautifully landscaped, which means you can enjoy all the benefits of having a yard without putting in any of the work.

THE CLASSIC CONDO OR TOWNHOUSE

Renting a condo or townhome may be a great alternative to living in an apartment complex, and while the two may seem similar, they have more differences than you might think.

Privately owned - most condos are owned by private, individual owners, who generally have a bigger emotional investment in the property than a commercial landlord. This means that the space might be better maintained. Carpets, windows and walls may be cleaned or painted more frequently, and the space may be equipped with better appliances and features like premium countertops and flooring.

Condo Community - most people living in condo buildings are unit owners, which mean there's likely less turnover among the residents than in an apartment building. People tend to know each other. And, chances are, you'll get to know others who live in the building rather quickly and enjoy that shared sense of community.

Sleeping Safe and Sound - living in an owner-occupied building can offer what feels like an added layer of security. Longer-term residents have a better feel for the neighborhood and can be more aware of suspicious activities. Condominium buildings also sometimes have greater security features, like secure entry doors, a staffed front desk or a doorman; and, in many instances, unit owners also have individual home security alarms. Additionally, a parking spot is almost always assigned to you, so you likely won't have to worry about unsafe street parking.